Best, affordable, versatile condenser mic?

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MSG_VT

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Hey guys its me again.

I'm trying to decide for an overhead mic/ and something for vocals at the same time.

I'm pretty set getting the sm 57 (80 bucks) for snare and the at pro 25 ( $99 bucks at zzsounds) for kick.


I've gotten some suggestions from you guys for LD condesers :

AT 4033SE ($279 at musicians friend)

Studio Projects C1 ( $229 )


Any major differences between the 2?

Any cheaper ones that sound similar? ( good for drums and vocals)


Help me out. Thanks guys..

David

http://listen.to/msg_vt
 
Don't take this wrong, but help yourself out. Use the search function on the mics you're asking about. FWIW, the MXL V67G is not terribly different from the C1 in character.

When you throw in the word "versatile" you shoot it all to hell. These are cheapo large diaphram condensor designed for vocals, and only voices which they coincidentally happen to suit well at that. You want versatility, you might want to look at some of the large diaphram dynamics, such as the SM7 (I didn't say SM57. You're my witness. I'm not crazy.), or the Sennheiser MD421. They're good for vocals, guitars, drums and a lot else.
-kent
 
first off, i also bought the sm57 (for snare...among other things too though)...and the pro 25.

except i got my pro 25 from 8thstreet.com (it's called the "pro 25 bulk pack" or something)...and its either 60 or 70 bucks...i dont reembre...but it sounds great. the only thing is, it doesnt actually say AT pro 25 anywhere on the mic...hmmmm (oh well, same specs, etc...).

just letting you know you should check that out.


also - i'm about to buy 2 MXL 603s. i've been using sm58's for overheads, which dont sound so great...lol. i'm pretty sure, that if i really wanted, those would work on vox (some people say they are good, some say dont bother..lol). but check those out too, hella cheap.
 
Quite right, Shackrock. With a pop filter the 603 is quite usable for vocals. For that matter so's the Pro25.
-kent
 
In one of the magazines this month on the stands, it might be Home Recording or Recording something or other, there is an article about recording Jon Bon Jovi's new album. They are using an AT 4033 on the kick drum. It will handle high SPL's and I was always afraid to put mine to close to a kick but maybe now I'll rethink that.

The 4033 is a good vocal mic, fantasic on acoustic guitars, does loud guitar amps well. A real work horse in many home and pro studios. It's a medium-diaphram electret condenser with a 5/8 inch diaphram. The C1 is a true large diaphram with a 1" diaphram. The medium diaphram in the 4033 might work well for overheads because a smaller diaphram will generally react to transients faster. My experience recording drums with the 4033 is very limited and I couldn't get it to sound good on cymbals but it was a bad sounding room and I probably didn't know what the hell I was doing.LOL I've heard tracks done with both the 4033 and AT 4050 as overheads and they sounded great.

Both the C1 and 4033 would be excellent. I'd just flip a coin :D
Many people like small diaphrams and ribbon mikes as overheads better than LD and MD's, but you could certainly use one or two for drums.

Buy the book "Behind the Glass" by Howard Massey before you do anything. It will change your view on mikes, preamps, applications, and creativity. Anybody on this board that doesn't have that book is still a lowly newbie in my opinion and deserves to be banned and spend an eternity in hell listening to FT's greatest hits :D
 
The versatility you want is tough to come by. In general, large diaphragm mics are good for vocals, and small diaphragms are better suited for overheads due to better off axis response and quicker response to transients.
The choice seems to be either to get affordable examples of each- Large Diaphagm- V67, C1, MK319// Small Diaphragm-MC012, MXL 603, or to go with a mid-size diaphragm condenser, trying to split the difference.
While I am not personally familiar with it, lots of posters here speak highly of AT4033. In that role, I use AKG C2000B, in my opinion, a greatly under-rated mic, which is very good for acoustic guitar, vocals, and as an overhead. You pays your money and makes your choice.-Richie
 
small diaphrams-

Marshall 603 $79
AT 3031 $160
Oktava MC-012
Rode NT3 $150

large and medium-

AT 3035 $200
AT 4033 $300
C1 or C3
B1 $79
AKG 4000 $450
Rode NT 1000 $300
CAD E-200

All in U.S. prices, all excellent bang for the buck. A combination of Rode NT-1000 and 2 Marshall 603's would be $460 and be quite versatile for drums, vocals, and much more.

How much can you spend ? Vocals should be a priority if you are just doing humble home recordings and not trying to go pro. Spend as much as you can on a LD if you want to be safe. I'm not saying that the cheap ones suck, but I've seen a lot of people spend too little and then upgrade later and it ends up costing them frustration and money down the road.

AT 3035 or 4033, and Rode NT 1000 would be my choices for LD but none of us can say what sounds the best on your voice, in your room, and on your drum kit. Choosing mikes is a bit of a crapshoot.....and that's why most peoples opinions are crap. Including mine. :)
 
just putting in a vote for the rode nt1000. i've gotten great results on vocals, acoustic and amped gtrs, the head of a bongo, as a room mic, and more i'm sure i'm forgetting. my only points of reference are my sm57s, mxl603s, and records, but at $200 from ebay i'm not regretting it.
 
dragnalus said:
just putting in a vote for the rode nt1000. i've gotten great results on vocals, acoustic and amped gtrs, the head of a bongo, as a room mic, and more i'm sure i'm forgetting. my only points of reference are my sm57s, mxl603s, and records, but at $200 from ebay i'm not regretting it.
Click to expand...

It's a quality piece of gear. I think it sounds quite natural on my acoustic guitars, bongos, and hand percussion (my main uses)

It's a heavy mic and it requires a sturdy mic stand. The shockmount is a $40-50 option and it doesn't come with the mic.

A dynamic mic for vocals and a pair of overheads/small diaphrams is also a way to go on a budget. You will end up buying dynamics someday anyway, and a pair of SD's are versatile tools.
 
yeah, i probably should have mentioned that the included clip broke a couple of days ago when i was trying to maneuver the mic on a boom stand. i ended up having to physically hold the mic in position, something i'd really rather not have to do.
 
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